Arguably one of the most watched television sitcoms of the 1990s, Friends was the quintessential television program for young adults looking for comedic relief and relatable characters. Following the lives of six twenty-something friends living in Manhattan, the plot of Friends revolved around “massive mayhem, family trouble, past and future romances, fights, laughs, tears, and surprises as they learn what it really means to be a friend” (IMDb.com, Inc.). In order to accurately examine how Friends had an influence on its audience, the episodes viewed were season one episode one, season five episode fourteen, and season ten episode three. Without a doubt, the decade-long show, which began airing in 1994, and the advertising content shown during the program had an influence on the behaviors of its viewers. By repeatedly showing distinct behaviors and reinforcing stereotypes about men and women, Friends has had lasting effects on its viewers that continue to be seen today. …show more content…
The six friends are often seen together in an apartment or in the coffeeshop Central Perk. During these interactions, Ross, who is seen as the nerdy, clumsy character, is often ridiculed by his peers for being sensitive and a know-it-all. During the pilot episode, for example, Ross was repeatedly told to stop expressing his emotions about his divorce by his male friends Joey and Chandler. Emasculating Ross continued to occur throughout the series as seen in season ten episode